Black Sheep of the Family

Somehow when we hear something all through our lives that has a negative sound to it, and we have a tendency to actually believe it's a negative thing. Being the black sheep of the family has always meant that there is a loser amongst a family of winners, an ugly duckling as part of a great looking family - or say a short person whose siblings and parents are all tall. But we forget that being the "different" one may be the good thing.

I've taken the negative connotation and turned it around to let the "white sheep" know that being the "black sheep" of the family or any group can a positive thing. "I'm the black sheep of the family ... and proud of it".

This design is from the by sandra collection - at bysandra.com

Technorati Tags: family, dysfunctional, black sheep

the Healing Garden

It's alway exciting when we can think of ways to combine our interests. I love gardening and photography. Going into the garden each morning and taking the time to photograph each flower - or the ones I like the best - gives me such a feeling of satisfaction. I marvel at God's work and the fact that I can enjoy it for years to come.

A few months ago, a dear friend of mine was diagnosed with cancer and had to start chemo treatments. Each morning I'd choose a flower photo that I'd taken - either recently or in the past - and would email it to her. She wrote that she enjoyed them so much and would I continue until she was through with her treatments. I have.

It can be such a feeling of helplessness when someone lives too far away to take a bouquet of fresh flowers or a bowl of chicken soup.
Darlene finished her chemo treatments last week, so I gathered all the photos I'd taken and created a "healing garden" album available for her anytime. It's been therapeutic for both of us and so wonderful to be able to still enjoy the flowers long after the real ones have faded away.

I also use the photos of my flowers to create useful and fun items by sandra - such as the Peace Rose greeting card - pictured.

Click here to visit our Healing Garden -- I'd like to have our roses meet you.

Technorati Tags: flowers, wellness, roses, friendship

School's Out, School's Out

Remember that last day of school? I guess we were all so excited that we'd be 'free' all summer that we didn't mind calling ourselves monkeys.

I put together some student and some teacher items in September for the beginning of school. But the end of school is just as exciting and important as Mom tries to find gifts (or if you prefer - bribes) for that special teacher. And what a nice way to let your student know how proud (and secretly relieved) you are that they were promoted up to the next grade.

The little ones will be proud to wear their "I'm in the (*) grade" shirt all through the summer and next school year - buy bigger!

Check it out!


Technorati Tags: school, vacation, kids, monkeys, teacher